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Meaning of Outlier

Definition: 1

something that lies outside the main body or group that it is a part of, as a cow far from the rest of the herd, or a distant island belonging to a cluster of islands: The small factory was an outlier, and unproductive, so the corporation sold it off to private owners who were able to make it profitable.

Definition: 2

someone who stands apart from others of his or her group, as by differing behavior, beliefs, or religious practices: scientists who are outliers in their views on climate change. Synonyms: nonconformist, maverick; original, eccentric, bohemian; dissident, dissenter, iconoclast, heretic; outsider.

Definition: 3

Statistics. an observation that is well outside of the expected range of values in a study or experiment, and which is often discarded from the data set: Experience with a variety of data-reduction problems has led to several strategies for dealing with outliers in data sets. a person whose abilities, achievements, etc., lie outside the range of statistical probability.

Definition: 4

Geology. a part of a formation left detached through the removal of surrounding parts by erosion. Compare inlier.

Definition: 5

Obsolete. a person residing outside the place of his or her business, duty, etc.